Best Time to Visit the Ballard Locks

There’s no way to pinpoint the best time to visit the Ballard Locks in Seattle, but there are definitely better times to visit the fish ladder than others.

The goal is to obviously see migrating salmon when you visit the Ballard Locks. The fish only pass through from the Puget Sound to Lake Union at certain times of the year. Listed below are the best times to visit the Ballard Locks throughout the year, and what species of salmon you’ll likely see during your visit.

Visitors watch sockeye salmon pass through Ballard Locks

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE BALLARD LOCKS

Chinook (King) — July-November, but the peak time for Chinook salmon at the Ballard Locks is late August.

Coho (Silver) — August-November, but the best time for Coho salmon at the Ballard Locks is late September.

Sockeye (Red) — June-October, but the peak time for Sockeye salmon at the Ballard Locks is July.

Steelhead — November-May, but the best time for Steelhead salmon at the Ballard Locks is late March/early April.

Sockeye salmon swimming through Ballard Locks in early July

Just by looking at the list, you can see there’s a chance to spot salmon year-round at the Ballard Locks, but anyone who’s visited knows there aren’t always fish migrating through the ladder. There’s no doubt the best time to visit the Ballard Locks is between July and late September.

The salmon migration shouldn’t be missed in Seattle. It’s an annual event that makes the Northwest so unique. To best maximize your experience, follow our list for the best time to visit the Ballard Locks in Seattle. If you’re looking for even more, you can also check out the Issaquah salmon hatchery for another neat experience. Issaquah is located miles upstream from any salt water, so the salmon are at the end of their grueling migration by the time they reach there.

Have you ever visited the Ballard Locks? When have you found the most success spotting salmon there? Please leave a comment below or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more great places to experience in the Emerald City!